Chris Paul won’t play Game 6 after injuring leg in Rockets’ Game 5 win over Warriors

HOUSTON — Chris Paul’s grit and veteran leadership have pushed the Golden State Warriors to the brink of elimination. But now he will miss Game 6 of the Western Conference finals on Saturday night because of a hamstring injury.

Eric Gordon came off the bench to score 24 points and his steal on Golden State’s last possession secured a 98-94 victory Thursday night that gave the Rockets a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference finals. But the victory came with a cost, as Paul had to leave the game in the final minute with a right hamstring injury.

The Rockets say Paul’s strained right hamstring will be re-evaluated after the team returns to Houston following Game 6.

His spirits aren’t great,” coach Mike D’Antoni said after the game. “He wanted to be out there, and for sure he’s worried … we’ll see tomorrow how it goes.”

Paul was receiving treatment after the game and did not speak to reporters.

According to ESPN’s Marc J. Spears, Paul was optimistic about playing in Game 6 as he left the arena after Thursday’s win.

The Rockets head to Oakland for Game 6 on Saturday night a win away from knocking off the defending champions and advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since winning back-to-back titles in 1994-95.

Kevin Durant scored 29 points for the Warriors, who lost in Game 5 of a playoff series for just the second time since 2015. Just like Cleveland in the East, a run of three straight trips to the championship round is on the verge of ending.

“We haven’t been in this position before … so it’s a chapter we need to figure out and finish the story,” Stephen Curry said.

The Rockets won a second straight defensive struggle between the two potent offenses, leaving the Warriors a loss from missing the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014.

Draymond Green made a 3-pointer with just over minute left to get Golden State within one. Harden, who was 0 for 11 on 3s, missed his last one with less than 30 seconds left, giving the Warriors the ball back.

Curry missed a floater and Trevor Ariza grabbed the rebound and was fouled with 10 seconds left. But he made just one of two free throws to give the Warriors another chance.

But Gordon came up with his steal when Green lost control in the lane and added two free throws with 2.4 seconds left to put it away.

Green was asked what was supposed to happen on the play.

“We was supposed to score,” he said. “I lost the ball … not much more to it than that.”

Harden scoffed at a reporter who questioned him about his struggles from long range in the last two games, where he’s gone a combined 3 for 22.

“Who cares,” he said. “I’m just missing shots, but we’re winning.”

Klay Thompson shook off a knee injury that had his status for this game in question to score 23 points and Curry added 22. A bruised left knee kept Andre Iguodala out for the second straight game, and Kevon Looney started in his place.